Eisen's Mailbag: TE Martellus Bennett

Giants.com's Michael Eisen answers your questions!

Today’s edition of The Mailbag on Giants.com:

What are the chances of Martellus Bennett signing for more years with the team? He seemed to come on pretty good as the season went on. It seems like the Giants cannot seem to keep their starting TE for more than three years - Bennett this year, Jake Ballard last year, Kevin Boss before that. Or would they look to draft another TE?-Jayson

I think it’s quite normal that the Giants have changed starting tight ends. There is substantial roster turnover on every team every season. The Giants are hardly the only team and tight end is hardly the only position where changes have been made. Specific to the Giants tight ends, Boss received far more money from the Oakland Raiders than the Giants were willing to pay. It proved to be a correct decision, as the Giants won the Super Bowl the year Boss departed and was replaced by Ballard. Subsequently, Ballard tore his ACL in Super Bowl XLVI and didn’t play in 2012 (he is now a member of the New England Patriots).

The Giants needed a tight end and signed Bennett, who caught 55 passes and scored five touchdowns. Will Bennett return in 2013? That will be decided in the coming weeks and months. He is a free agent. Bennett has said he wants to return to the Giants, but these decisions are often based on finances, both the player’s and the team’s. The Giants will not overpay for him, just as they wouldn’t for Boss. If Bennett leaves, the Giants will likely sign another veteran tight end or perhaps select one in the draft. Don’t forget, they have Adrien Robinson, last year’s fourth-round draft choice, who they think will be a good player.